William A. Little

The significance of placental/fetal weight ratios

Abstract The placental coefficient (placental weight/fetal weight) was determined in 956 third trimester births in order to ascertain and define the abnormally small or large placenta. With the described methods, any term infant with a placental coefficient less than 0.10 and greater than 0.18 may be considered to have a relatively small or large placenta. Any coefficient less than 0.08 or greater than 0.2 at term may be considered to be associated with an abnormally small or large placenta. The data are presented and discussed in respect to the clinical significance and applicability. It seems that marked deviations in the placental coefficient are associated with perinatal adversities.

Placental oxygen consumption in vitro. II. Total uptake as an index of placental function.

Abstract The average total oxygen consumption of a series of placentas has been determined to be 86,800 ± 2,500 μl per hour. It appears to be unrelated to changing gestational age and to placental or fetal weight after the twenty-eighth week of gestation, and remains essentially a constant during the third trimester. Corresponding clinical material has been studied and the total placental oxygen requirement has been found to be diminished in association with pre-eclampsia, fetal distress, depressed infants, and in infarcted placentas; and to be elevated after prolonged general inhalation anesthesia. The potential significance of these findings is discussed.

Pregnancy and gout: A case report

Abstract The extremely rare association of gout and pregnancy has been examined by the presentation of a case report and summarization of the 2 other cases which have appeared in the literature to date. The possible interrelationship of gout and pre-eclampsia has been discussed, with the tentative conclusion reached that the two conditions are mutually antagonistic. The role of estrogen with-drawal in gouty exacerbations has been implied and, although not clear-cut, a causal relationship is felt to exist.

MATERNAL DEATH ASSOCIATED WITH EXCESSIVE INGESTION OF A CHLOROTHIAZIDE DIURETIC

The fatal illness of a gravida during the second trimester of pregnancy is described. It was characterized by coma, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypochloremic alkalosis. Its onset was antedated by massive ingestion of a chlorothiazide diuretic during a 3-week period. Postmortem examination uncovered diffuse brain swelling, an alteration in keeping with the electrolyte imbalance present during the last few days of life.